http://books.google.com/books?id=bZl4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=%22Dutton+Shannon%22+fallowfield+pa&source=bl&ots=TE-BHOp3m7&sig=8Pe3VMmlNbqp1UD_AkH8fMUUk-M&hl=en&ei=nLoXTq2-GdG_gQf7j6XzDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=snippet&q=cyrus%20underwood&f=false The old and new Monongahela, By John Stogdell Van Voorhis, 1893, Pittsburgh pg. 435 The Speers Family Henry Speers and Regina, his wife, were b. in Germany, and in about the years 1771-72 settled on what is now known as the Gibsonton Farm. Henry Speers had 4 sons, Jacob, Solomon, Noah and Henry, and 1 daughter, as far as we can ascertain, who was the wife of Benjamin Frye, 1 of the executors of the estate. Henry d. in 1773. His son Jacob emigrated to KY in early days, where for many years he was a successful business man, and from whom the KY Speers has their origin. Solomon was killed by the Indians, on Salt River, KY, where he had gone to engage in trapping and trading. Henry, b. July 8, 1756, was 16 years old when his parents located near the present town of Bellevernon. He m. Rebecca Frye, a daughter of Abraham Frye, SR., Sep. 24, 1777. She d. July 16, 1835. This Henry Speers and wife were the parents of 13 children, only a few of whom we have knowledge. Henry, all of his married life, resided on the farm called "Speers Intent", opposite Bellevernon. He was long a member of the Baptist church, was licensed to preach by the church of Enon, May 5, 1793, and ordained by Rev. John Cobley, on the last Sat. of March, 1797, and he continued as pastor of Enon church to the day of his death, which was Jan. 26, 1840. Enon church was located in chief, opposite Bellevernon. He was the principle man in building up this church, the members of which at first worshiped in the old log building long since gone, but more recently in the brick house still standing on the hill near the ferry, and now owned by his grandson, S. C. Speers. (Is this the back porch? or ?) The old log church is said to have been built prior to the old Horse Shoe Presbyterian church, which stood on the farm long known as the Simon Wilson, back of Lock No. 4, but owned by his son John Wilson. The brick mansion near the ferry owned and occupied now by his grandson, Noah Speers, was built by him, that is Henry Speers, in 1806. One of his sons was a soldier in the War of 1812, was in the battle of New Orleans with Gen. Jackson. He lived for many years in the log house on Maple Crk, where the late Geo. Norris so long resided; he d. many years ago in the old log house on the S. Branch of the same stream where the widow of the late Joseph Beazell now lives. Samuel, another son of Henry Speers, was also a soldier in the War of 1812, exposure in the army caused him to be a cripple in his last days, which were passed in the mansion near the ferry. Many of our older citizens will call to mind "Uncle Sam" with his many peculiarities of character. He was never married. John passed most of his life at Dunbar, in Fayette Co. His heirs still own part of the farm above the original Speers farm, on the river. This tract of land was early owned by Col. Ed. Cook, one of the most prominant public actors in the settlement of W. PA. At Dunbar he had a mill and a farm which are yet property of his heirs, although the mill has ceased to grind. He had quite a large family, several of whom have passed away. One of the daughters of Henry Speers m. Geo. Hill, of Ten Mile, in Wash. Co.; another was the wife of Wm. Ward, deceased, who lived many years in the brick house about 1 mi. above Twilight, in Wash. Co.. Kattie m. John McCrory. Apollos, the remaining son, was b. near the ferry Sep. 8, 1801. After his marriage to Eliza. Cooper, who d. at Marshalltown, Iowa, Sep. 13, 1874, he lived for a time at Fish Pot on Ten Mile. With this exception he resided all his life in the ferry brick house where he d. Feb. 23, 1857, and was buried in the grave yard overlooking his residence, a site selected by his father as a burial place. Apollos had 5 sons and 6 daughters. Solomon C. resides on part of the "Speers Intent" tract, below the ferry. Noah still owns and occupies the brick homestead of his father and grandfather. Jasper d. Jan. 8, 1859. Jacob and Henry have been residents for many years of Marshalltown, Iowa. Margaret m. Enoch Baker of Ten Mile. Nancy, now deceased, m. Samuel Frye. Mary m. B. W. Johnson, and now resides at or near Marshalltown, Iowa. Clara m. James Walker, and lived near the same place, so does Sarah. Noah, the remaining son of Henry Speers, the older, was not 3 years old when his father settled on the Gibsonton farm, where he, Noah, d. June 9, 1832. He not only owned the Gibstonton farm, including the tract now belonging to Jn. W. Irons, but also the farm on which the late L. M. Speers so long resided, together with the ground on which Bellevernon is situated. He carried on farming very extensively, and had under him a large number of slaves. He was founder of Bellevernon. His wife, who was a daughter of Abraham Frye. SR., d. May 12, 1845. The remains of Noah and his wife are buried in what is known as the Gibsonton graveyard, on the old Speers homestead. Noah left a large family to enjoy his estate as disposed of by his will, dated June 2, 1832, just 7 days before his death, which was caused by the kick of a horse. Jacob m. a daughter of the late Maj. Jn. Power, of Rostraver, and resided for many years on that part of the Speers homestead now owned by Jn. W. Irons. He built the brick house still standing above the public road. Thomas Taggart did the carpenter work and Jos. Pearson, we think, did the laying of the brick. In about 1846 Jacob moved to IL, where he still lives at a good age. Solomon, after living for nearly half a century in the brick house near the ferry, removed west in 1857, where he d. in 1860. Noah W. inherited the old homestead; we have already written in detail his career. Louis M. Speer For more than 50 years Louis M. Speer was the most prominant factor in the history of Bellevernon. Although dead, his many good qualities of head and heart will not soon be forgotten. He was nearly 6 ft. in hgt., of a dark complexion, and in wgt. bordering on 180 lbs. His disposition was excitable, yet firm, though pliable to reason and sense of right. He was b. July 26, 1810, in the old log mansion on the Speer homestead, now the Gibsonton Farm. He was tutored to the business of farming by his father, Noah Speers, and always more or less manifested much of his father's disposition and habits of life. He m. Miss Jane Finley, daughter of the late Wm. Finley, who lived all his life near Rehoboth church, and d. in the stoen house still standing near that church. Mrs. Speer d. Mar. 13, 1857, in the brick house built and so long owned by her husband. After their marriage they went to housekeeping in the old log house which stood in front of the brick house. The old house was removed by Alex. Austin, the barber, in 1843, to Bellevernon Hill, and was for many years the residence of Peter Lehew. It has given way to Lehew's present fine residence on Market st., near Strawberry alley. Louis was one of the most successful farmers of his day. He was the pioneer sand dealer in the valley, his acres of sand yielded him a very handsome revenue. At first it was washed and prepared for the glass manufacturer by hand power. The apparatus consisted pf a sq/ trpigj abpit 2 by 10 ft. long. The rude sand was taken from the field on his own farm by cart and horse to the wash, then shoveled into the trough, water turned on, stirred well and then the sand was settled to the bottom by clubs beating the sides, the dirty water running off in the meantime. After being washed it was stored in sand pens to await market. We call to mind the wash below the present Jone's barn; the one near the present residence of Geo. Fisher, and another near the present residence of J. T. Roley. Then came the horse power over the river near the old Tremont school house where he washed sand taken from the ladn of Noah Speers. Finally he was connected with the steam washer opposite town, now owned by S. C. Speers. In addition, he dealt in stock, lumber, coal and merchandise. Early in the late war he was appt'd inspector of horses in the Qtr. Master Depart. of Indianapolis, to which place he repaired and entered upon the discharge of his duties. He soon discovered that his honest manner respecting the office was not compatible with the surroundings, so that rather than be annoyed by attempts to swerve him from a correct and open discharge of his duties, he resigned in a very short time. His first wife was Jane Finley, daughter of Wm. Finley, and grand daughter of the Rev. James Finley who was the first pastor of Rehoboth. She d. Mar. 13, 1857. They had as children: Wm. F., who m. Mary, daughter of the late James S. Power. At the beginning of the late war Wm. raised a Co. of Cavalry, went into the service as 2nd Lt., served during most of the time as Capt., and at the close of the war was honored for meritorious services with the Brevet rank of Major of Cavalry. With his father he carried on boat building and the coal business for many years. After their financial embarrassment in 1877, Wm. moved to Sewickley on the Ohio River, where he was a member of the Pittsburgh Boat Bldg. Co. He is now (1892) connected with a brick mfg. co. in Pittsburgh and resides at Atwood St. Noah Q. has long been connected with the sand business, both with his father and more recently as a member of the Speer White Sand Co., which has extensive crushing and washing works on the Yough. River, and at Mapleton on the Penn RR, in Huntingdon Co. He built the residence in Bellevernon now owned and occupied by Levi J. Jeffries. He resides at this time in BenVenue, in Pittsburgh. His wife is a daughter of the late Hon. Aaron Bugher, of Fayette City, who represented Fayette Co. in the Legis. in 1841. The other sons of Louis M. Speer are by his first wife - J. R. Hughes and Eddie, now deceased. The daughters are Mary, Margaretta and Celia. Margaretta, more familiarly known by the name of Rettie, m. her cousion, Solomon P. Speer. They reside in Baltimore, where he is an active and successful business man. Mary m. Rev. T.S. Park; they live in IL. Celia m. Rev. R.B. Porter; they reside on the border of Butler and Allegheny Co's., the name of the town we can not recall. In about the year 1859, Louis M. Speer m. Miss Fannie Stewart, of Colerain Forge, in this state. The children by this marriage, who are now living are David S., Calhoun, and John S. V., little Frankie having d. in infancy, his remains are in the Bellevernon cemetery marked by a beautiful monument. In 1878, Louis M. Speer and wife with their three boys by his second wife moved to Wooster, OH. From the day of his financial trouble Louis M. Speer seemed to fail in heart and body, and on Sep. 15, 1883, he d. whilst on a visit to his daughter Mary, near Cadiz Junction, OH. His remains were brought on the 18th to Bellevernon and interred at Rehoboth. The exercises attending the burial were graphically described in a communication in the Monongahela Daily Republican which we insert: Bellevernon, PA, Sep. 19, 1883 Dear Colonel: Yesterday we laid to rest in Rehoboth grave yard along side the wife of his youth, the remains of my old friend L. M. Speer. As the body was borne by his sons from the depot, the 4 bells of Bellevernon sent forth their solemn echoes in memory of the dead proprietor. At the ferry wharf the people en masse' in open ranks with uncovered heads met the cortege of sorrowing friends, and as it passed through to the Presbyterian church, a death stillness reigned and every heart seemed impressed with emotion. The large concourse of people in and around the church was made up of his former fellow citizens in every walk of life. The old and young all seemed to vie in attempts to honor his memory. In the church erected principally by his own liberality and of which he had been a member for many years, the services were conducted by Rev. D. K. Nesbit, of Hazelwood, assisted by Revs. Baker and Leonard of this place. The body in full dress was encased in a beautiful iron casket weighing over 700 lbs. The remains were followed to the grave yard by a long line of carriages and 2 spring wagons conveying the town councils of both boroughs, which had turned out in their corporate capacity to do honor to his memory. As the solemn procession approached his old homestead every eye was turned and every heart filled with recollections of the past. Here he first located, here he passed his early and greater part of his active and useful life, here his children were all born; and from this sacred temple he had borne the remains of his first love. Her he lived when he gave himself to that God in whom he trusted to the last. At Rehoboth an additional crowd had convened to honor the remains. On their return the friends in sorrow were entertained by kind hearts all over town. For 2 generations he had furnished employment to a large proportion of the citizens of Bellevernon, whereby they were fed and clothed. As a farmer, boat builder, coal operator and merchant, he was generous and ever ready and willing to lend a helping hadn to the needy. It could truly be said of him that he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick. He joined in every enterprise that promoted local or general interest of the valley of which he had so high estimate. Thus has passed away one who in my early struggles with the world was ever ready to give word of cheer; in maturer age a companion in whom I could trust and in whose death is a loss I cannot estimate the value thereof. Yours truly, J. S. V. Few men in this valley had rendered more service to his fellow man than Louis M. Speer. He was a good neighbor, a kind friend and a human benefactor. He was about the last of the cotemporaries who gave caste to the infant Bellevernon. His name will not soon be forgotten. It is written everywhere around his native place in deeds of charity and benefaction. The world is the loser by the death of such men. Louis M Speer had a brother James who d. in early life, and Abram, who studied medicine but never practiced his profession very much. He lived and d. in the old log house long known as the Rev. Dr. Smith house, which stood in Rostraver, near the brick house erected by S. F. Jones, and now owned by the heirs of Robt. Fairman, on the road leading from the town of Webster. He was the father of David P. Charles and Solomon Speers, of Elizabeth, PA. Louis M. Speer had several sisters all of whom we think are dead. Clarissa m. Andrew Ford, of Fayette Co.; Lucinda m. Wm. Mills, one m. Samuel Walker, long a boat builder at Elizabeth, and another was the wife of Robt. McFarland, of Lower St. Clair, in Allegheny Co. Jacob and Noah W. are the only living ones of the family. Death of Col. Wm. F. Speer, Brick Manufacturer and Steamboat Builder. Lt. Col. William F. Speer d. Sep. 15, 1893, after a lingering illness at his residence, 321 Atwood st., Pittsburgh, PA. Over a year ago he was getting in a car on the Central traction road when the car started and he was run over. His right arm was crushed and his back hurt. He was never well afterward, and Bright's disease developed. He was a very sick man for some months past, all hope of his recovery being given up weeks ago by his relatives. Col. Speers was the son of the late Louis M. Speers, a well known boat builder and was b. in Bellevernon, Sep. 3, 1835. He received his collegiate education at the college at Wash. PA, and at the outbreak of the rebellion entered the service of his country, enlisting as a private. He was made a 2nd Lt., and then promoted to Lt. Col. in a G.O. (General Order) from the war department for coolness and daring courage on the field. He was captured and served 3 mo. in Libby prison. After he was exchanged he served as Provost Marshall in teh Shenandoah Valley, and there had the pleasure of administering the oath of allegiance to the US to the man who had made him a prisoner a short time before. He was wounded at Winchester, and at the close of the war was mustered out after an active service of 3 years and 3 mos. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), and served as commander of Hays Post, No. 3, of Encampment No. 1 of the Union Veteran Legion and of the Penn Commandery of the Loyan Union. After the war Col. Speers engaged in boat building with his father at Bellevernon under the firm name of L. M. & W. F. Speer. In 1879 he moved to Sewickley, later to Freedom, following the same business. In 1885 he severed his connection with the firm and embarked in the manufacture of brick under the name of the Speer Brick Co. His wife, 3 sons, and 1 daughter survive him, his oldest son having d. last Apr. One of his sons, Capt. L. M. Speer, is the member of the firm of Jn. A. Wood & Co., the coal men, and another son, Harry, was engaged with him in the brick business. The 3rd son is with the furniture firm of Jacobs & McGilvray. Col. Speer had a large family connection. Noah Q. Speer, of the Speer Sand Co., and J. R. Speer, of Denver, are his brothers, and Mrs. Rev. Thomas S. Park, of Tower Hill, IL, Mrs. S. P. Speers, of Baltimore, MD, and Mrs. R. B. Porter, of Mars, PA, are his sisters. Col. Speer was well known by all the river and army men, and his genial disposition and social qualities made him a general favorite. He was buried in Homewood cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.